Upset by lying lion

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Last night, Saturday, at 11 p.m., we passed a Sheriff’s car beside a mountain lion dead by the side of Malibu Canyon Road. I stopped to investigate but was ordered to leave. The lion was laid perfectly down without a trace of blood or mutilation, as if it were sleeping. No sign of Fish and Wildlife, no sign of wildlife rescue and no response to our emergency calls.(It’s Sunday and still no one has returned my calls.)

Animal control arrived about 20 minutes later and as we passed a second time we saw them collaring the animal, still not knowing whether it was alive or deceased.

I have lived in Malibu over 20 years and am a teacher at Malibu High School. It was not beyond suspicion that this lion was near the entrance to the rancher who recently announced his intent on killing this creature. I’m not going to mention his name. What is in question is whose jurisdiction it is to handle this, certainly not the dog pound, and there needs to be an autopsy. I have notified my contact at NPS this morning and they are not happy about not being called!

Bruce Oatway